You Are More
"You Are More" is the title of a song by Tenth Avenue North.
This song has some of my favorite lyrics, especially in the chorus. Here's a snippet:
This song affects me on many different levels. One of those is a professional level. Everyday I see students who have no hope. They feel helpless in their plight, and many of them feel doomed to a life of poverty at best and prison or an early death at worst.
These students, at least the ones I have had one-on-one conversations with, seem to feel like they have been labeled by the system as a troublemaker, and that there is nothing they can do to break that perception. At this point in the conversation, I typically try to help students see what they have done to develop that perception for themselves and what they can do to change it.
If only it were that easy. The system is against them. It's not just their perception. It's not just the result of their actions (although they play their part). The system historically labels people and treats them accordingly, and it makes me nauseous.
And I think the worst part for me is that it's not any one system. It's not just the education system; it's not just law enforcement; it's not just American society; it's not just a contemporary problem. The worst thing about it is that it seems to be able to be traced back across human history.
Perhaps since God marked Cain for his sin, we got in the habit of labeling people according to their actions.
But praise God that Jesus came and changed all of that. Because of Christ, I long to sing "You are more than the choices that you've made, You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create, You've been remade" to my students. Sadly, my job doesn't allow for that. At least, it doesn't allow me to tell them how Jesus has saved them.
On more than one occasion, I have had the opportunity to tell a student who had confided in me how he or she was perceived by teachers or others in authority that our mistakes don't define us--how we bounce back from them tell the world who we are.
I don't know how much it helps, but hopefully it at least plants a seed that there is something more in life: that there just might be hope for them, yet.
Just a few thoughts at the end of a Monday. Let me know what you think or try to clarify any of my fuzzy points. (like I said: It's the end of a Monday.)
This song has some of my favorite lyrics, especially in the chorus. Here's a snippet:
"You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade."
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade."
This song affects me on many different levels. One of those is a professional level. Everyday I see students who have no hope. They feel helpless in their plight, and many of them feel doomed to a life of poverty at best and prison or an early death at worst.
These students, at least the ones I have had one-on-one conversations with, seem to feel like they have been labeled by the system as a troublemaker, and that there is nothing they can do to break that perception. At this point in the conversation, I typically try to help students see what they have done to develop that perception for themselves and what they can do to change it.
If only it were that easy. The system is against them. It's not just their perception. It's not just the result of their actions (although they play their part). The system historically labels people and treats them accordingly, and it makes me nauseous.
And I think the worst part for me is that it's not any one system. It's not just the education system; it's not just law enforcement; it's not just American society; it's not just a contemporary problem. The worst thing about it is that it seems to be able to be traced back across human history.
Perhaps since God marked Cain for his sin, we got in the habit of labeling people according to their actions.
But praise God that Jesus came and changed all of that. Because of Christ, I long to sing "You are more than the choices that you've made, You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create, You've been remade" to my students. Sadly, my job doesn't allow for that. At least, it doesn't allow me to tell them how Jesus has saved them.
On more than one occasion, I have had the opportunity to tell a student who had confided in me how he or she was perceived by teachers or others in authority that our mistakes don't define us--how we bounce back from them tell the world who we are.
I don't know how much it helps, but hopefully it at least plants a seed that there is something more in life: that there just might be hope for them, yet.
Just a few thoughts at the end of a Monday. Let me know what you think or try to clarify any of my fuzzy points. (like I said: It's the end of a Monday.)
Labels: Educational Musings, Spiritual Musings
posted by Justin | 5:37 PM
5 Comments:
I love you. :)
God is powerful and planting many seeds through your presence, and, most importantly, your care for these kids. We'll just pray those seeds get the continued sunlight and water they need.
I love that song too, it is so rich with hope! Keep on keeping on brother and making a difference, God waters all your little seedlings!!!
Justin- From past experience as an educator, I can tell you that you may not see the fruits of your labor for many years, but your work will produce fruit. God assures us that if we plant those seeds that He will provide the growth. Many, many times my former students have told me that I did have an impact on their lives. Remember that YOU are the only Bible some of those children will ever read. I'm proud of you for your hard work and perseverance, even in the face of all the prejudice in this world.
What a powerful post! I know you are doing great things for the Lord here in Nashville. Keep it up, my friend!
Thanks for all the comments and encouragement!
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